HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 09/17/2024 - Memorandum from Ginny Sawyer re Council Priorities – Q2 – 2024 Update
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City Manager’s Office
City Hall
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6505
970.224.6107 - fax
fcgov.com
DATE: September 10, 2024
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
THROUGH: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
FROM: Ginny Sawyer, Lead Project Manager
RE: Council Priorities – Q2-2024 Update
Every two years, following a Council election, the newly seated Council participates in a
planning retreat to identify priorities and confirm strategic direction. City Council adopted 11
priorities for the 2024-2026 term. These priorities were intentionally developed by Council to
encompass both on-going work, previously identified strategic initiatives, and opportunities to
accelerate workstreams.
Updates are provided quarterly through memo and website updates.
(https://www.fcgov.com/council/)
Priority Updates
1. Operationalize City Resources to Build and Preserve Affordable Housing
• Work is underway to develop an expedited review process for affordable housing
projects. First step will be utilizing grant funds to get a consultant on board.
• The development of a regional Homelessness Response Plan is underway. This work is
also grant funded.
• Staff has initiated the development review process for the winter Seasonal Overflow
Shelter at 117 N. Mason. Anticipated opening day is November 1.
• As Citywide impact fees are being evaluated (and increased) a parallel effort is
underway to identify fee relief opportunities. This effort includes staff from Social
Sustainability, Finance, and Utilities.
• Staff is researching innovative ways to leverage potential housing funding within a
Community Capital Tax renewal.
Council touchpoints:
Community Capital Tax discussions at October 3 Council Finance Committee and
November 12 Council work session.
2. Improve Human and Social Health for Vulnerable Populations
• Mobile Home Park focused work continues with 14 mobile home repair projects being
completed. Projects totaled $85,210 with funding provided through the 2050 tax,
Innovate Fort Collins Challenge monies, and ARPA funding. Work included roof
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replacements, new air conditioners, electrical projects, furnace and stair/handrail
replacement. Four projects were for seniors and 2 projects were for homeowners who
primarily speak Spanish. recipients have an income below 50% AMI.
• The most recent round of Neighborhood Mini-Grants awarded $14,000 to 17
neighborhoods. 42% went to Designated Opportunity Neighborhoods through CARE
Housing and Neighbor to Neighbor.
• The settlement with Prospect Energy will result in the ending of oil and gas operations in
Fort Collins. Staff will be shifting focus from monitoring and partner enforcement efforts
to remediation and reclamation efforts.
• Appropriation of CDPHE grant funds in August 2024; Received 2050 Tax funds in May
2024 resulting in:
o 28 in-home assessments (6 in Spanish, 22 in English)
o 52 DIY assessments completed
o 9 events focused on Healthy Homes and radon
• By the numbers:
o $1.1M distributed through 43 human service grant awards
o 9 focus groups completed as part of the Human Services Priorities Platform effort
o Monthly conversations with Community Spanish Language Group continue
o 1893 new/renewed Get FOCO applications
o 842 Digital Equity participants
o 200 individuals assisted through the Immigration Legal Fund
o 57 clients represented through the Eviction Legal Fund
o 4 Community Consultants on-boarded for mobile home park work
o 8 Equity Readiness Assessments completed (City Departments)
Council touchpoints:
Equity Indicator Council work session October 22
3. Pursue an Integrated, Intentional Approach to Economic Health
• The Economic Health Office (EHO) was awarded a $25,000 marketing grant as part of
the Colorado Chips Community Support Program (CCCSP) offered by the Colorado
Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) with the purpose of
supporting the growth of the semiconductor and advanced industry ecosystem in
Colorado. This will be done through a Marketing Attraction Plan, advertising in Site
Selection magazine, and other targeted work.
• EHO has made it through the accreditation process of Earning Accredited Economic
Development Organization (AEDO) which ensures that the EHO meets the universal
quality standard for economic development organizations. A follow-up report will give
insight on how to better communicate goals and related actions to the community along
with the final accreditation decision.
• Work continues on a partnership with the Institute for Justice to conduct a barriers to
business study in Fort Collins.
Council touchpoints:
4. Advancing a 15-minute City by Igniting our Neighborhood Centers
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• The continued work on the Land Use Code is scoped and underway. Immediate next
steps include selection of a consultant team and developing community engagement
strategy.
• Plan, Permit, and Inspection process improvements are underway. Do date these have
included website updates and implementation of standard and consistent business
hours. Negotiations for acquiring and implementing an improved digital system for
licensing, permitting, and code enforcement continue.
• The Place-Based Assessment scope has been completed and will focus on the context,
opportunities and challenges of specific neighborhood centers throughout the city.
• In an effort to do more neighborhood scale engagement such as Shift Your Ride
neighborhood with University Park and more engagement with groups such as las
Chicas en Bicicletas resources have been shifted and from two Open Streets events to
one.
Council touchpoints:
November 12 Council work session on LUC community engagement and prioritization
Place Based Assessment memo update Q4 2024
5. Accelerate Zero Waste Infrastructure and Policies
• Staff continue to work on three specific fronts to accelerate zero waste infrastructure and
policies:
o Support the launch and community rollout of the single hauler contract with Republic,
which includes:
Weekly check-in meetings with Republic’s implementation leadership team.
Weekly updates to the City Manager’s office regarding progress.
Community engagement and customer support during the transition period.
o Collaborate with the County on development of Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU). Items under consideration for the MOU are:
Interim commitments to work together as a new Intergovernmental Agreement is
developed, which includes considerations for flow control.
Development of cost and pricing frameworks to give parties necessary
information for decision making on policies and infrastructure investments.
Identifying financially feasible diversion strategies that assist Fort Collins in
achieving its waste reduction goals.
o Launch the technical assistance grant through the C3 Program (formerly called the
Front Range Waste Diversion (FRWD) Enterprise.) The focus of the grant is to help
identify pathways to greater construction and demolition materials diversion and the
feasibility of diverting food scraps. Estimated completion date is June of 2025.
Periodic updates to Council will be scheduled at appropriate intervals.
Council touchpoints:
Update memo sent August 14, 2024
Future memo updates planned
6. Reduce Climate Pollution and Air Pollution Through Best Practices, Emphasizing
Electrification
Staff continue to refine existing initiatives and accelerate new efforts for this Council Priority:
• Electrification of Buildings:
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o The Building Performance Standard (BPS) project to adopt and enhance regulatory
policies for existing building energy use is on track and focusing on developing
resources in coordination with community building owners.
o The team is on course with the work toward adopting and supporting the 2030 Zero
Carbon Construction Code for building codes. Staff has accepted DOE grant funding,
are working to execute sub-recipient agreements, and the data exchange has been
completed.
o Utilities will continue to evaluate infrastructure (physical and software) and optimize
economic levers (Incentives and rates) needed to support community electrification.
• Electrification of Transportation/Fleet Vehicles:
o The process to update the previous Electric Vehicle Readiness Roadmap (EVRR) is
on track.
o Operation Services, Utilities and Finance departments have partnered to implement
phase 1 of the awarded SMART Grant and has submitted the phase 2 proposal
seeking $11M for fleet vehicle and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
• Conversion of Small Engine Equipment:
o Staff is focused on compliance with CDPHE Air Pollution and Control Division
(APCD) Regulation 29 (restricting summer use of certain gas-powered landscaping
equipment, beginning 2025).
o Environmental Regulatory Affairs (ERA) is leading compliance planning efforts.
o Staff are leveraging funding from the 2050 Tax to convert utility task vehicles (UTVs)
to electric (2024 Mini-BFO), and all orders are complete.
o Parks and NAD have completed working inventories of City-owned "small engine"
equipment.
Council touchpoints:
Staff to provide Council an Our Climate Future update memo in Q4 2024
Building Performance Standards Council work session late 2024
7. Protect Community Water Systems in an Integrated Way to Ensure Resilient Water
Resources and Healthy Watersheds
• Staff provided a Halligan project status update at the 7/9 Council Work Session. Current
work includes modeling to support 401 Water Quality Certification application,
construction cost refinement, and engineering design. City staff are evaluating the
project's eligibility for federal and state loan programs as well as grant opportunities.
• Council also provided direction on Water Supply Requirements (WSR), Allotments &
Excess Water Use Surcharges provided direction at the 7/9 Work Session which
included proceeding with revised hybrid methodology for calculating WSR and the
schedule for issuing allotments to commercial accounts established prior to 1984.
• Water Efficiency Plan Update (WEP) update is anticipated to be complete in Q1 2025.
Most of the engagement efforts are complete. Recent milestones include completion of
new service area-wide and municipal water conservation goals and ongoing
development of a water demand model, which will help evaluate climate impacts and
water conservation strategies on water demand.
• Wildfire Ready Watersheds Action Plan (WRWAP): The City has been awarded State
grant funds to complete a collaborative WRWAP for critical water supply infrastructure in
the Upper Poudre Basin in partnership with Water Supply and Storage Company and
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City of Greeley. This plan will identify post-wildfire hazards and mitigation strategies to
protect these assets, which include the City’s Joe Wright Reservoir.
Council touchpoints:
Water Supply Requirement ordinance scheduled for October 15 regular meeting
Water Efficiency Plan update scheduled for November 12 work session
8. Advancing a 15-minute City by Accelerating our Shift to Active Modes
• There is significant support and opportunity to advance this Priority through The
Strategic Trails Plan and the upcoming 10-Year Transportation Capital Improvement
Plan (TCIP). Both efforts are foundational in guiding policy and millions of dollars in
investment.
• Staff completed the 23/24 school year safety assessments and identified several
improvements such as crosswalks, signage, pavement markings, education and
enforcement. We are now working with PSD to determine the schools for the 24/25
school year.
• By the numbers:
o 23 lane miles of buffered/improved bike lanes
o 4 lane miles of protected bike lanes
o 6 improved intersections for bike and ped safety
o 8+ schools served by safer routes
Council touchpoints:
Draft TCIP at Council work session in Q4 2024
9. Develop a Use Plan for the Hughes Property
Council has supported partnering with American Public Trust, Healthy Democracy and
others to host a Civic Assembly process for the development of a site use plan for the
Hughes property. Staff will be working with these partners to develop a project plan and
timeline. Work includes ensuring any and all interested residents will be able and prepared
to participate.
Council touchpoints:
Staff will provide updates through memos.
10. Make Government more Accessible, Approachable & Fun
• The digital accessibility team worked with consultants, Nelnet, to assist with developing
a Digital Accessibility Plan and helped ensure all required elements for the extended
compliance period were in place by July 1, 2024.
• The development of the new digital experience platform (website, legislative mgmt, etc.)
kicked off in early 2024. Discovery was completed, including analysis of the current
website and a feedback questionnaire to staff and community to inform the design and
development of the new website. Design and information architecture are underway.
• Customer Experience (CX) work continued with the BlastX consulting team to analyze
the various metrics the City uses to measure customer satisfaction and help build a
more consistent approach and framework to measurement using department and
Citywide dashboards. Additionally, eight common customer journeys including small
business onboarding, outdoor permitting and contesting a parking citation were mapped
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to explore the community's experience and identify pain points and opportunities for
improvement.
• Q2 is the season of FUN around the City with numerous community events and
engagement opportunities like Kids in the Park, 4th of July celebration, Lagoon Concert
Series, Bike to Work or Wherever Day and so much more. Check out the fun on the
City's Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fortcollinsgov/albums
Council touchpoints:
Council listening sessions at various community events
11. Modernize the City Charter
• The City Attorney has retained Geoff Wilson of the firm Wilson Williams Fellman Dittman
to provide special expertise and assistance with the review of the Charter and
preparation of proposed updates and modernizing amendments. There have been
several coordination meetings to discuss and initiate the work, and to plan the process.
The work will consist of a full review of the City Charter for inconsistencies internal to the
Charter and with modern practices, for outdated language and unclear and cumbersome
provisions.
Council touchpoints:
December 10 Council work session
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